Florida ophthamologist indicted for fraudulent PAC and lobbying scheme

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September 30th, 2009. A Florida opthamologist, Dr. Alan Mendelsohn, was recently indicted for allegedly overseeing three different fraudulent Political Action Committee's and a lobbying scheme. Dr. Mendelsohn allegedly used the PAC's and lobbying scheme as fronts from which to siphon off larges sums of money for personal use [1]. He is also said to have bribed an unnamed government official [2].

Contents

[edit] Diverting money from PAC's

Dr. Mendelsohn helped oversee three different PAC's in Florida. Most notably, he served as the chief fundraiser for the Florida Medical Association's PAC[3]..

Dr. Mendelsohn allegedly told contributors to the PAC's that their money would be spent on political and media campaigns. The over two million dollars of contributions that he received, however, were not all spent for this purpose. Some three hundred and fifty thousand dollars was diverted by Dr. Mendelsohn for personal use[4].

[edit] Fraudulent lobbying

Dr. Mendelsohn allegedly used his well-known political influence to convince others that he could lobby for them in exchange for bribes. Dr. Mendelsohn allegedly approached the founder of Mutual Benefits, a company shut down by the SEC in 2004, and offered to lobby legislators on his behalf in exchange for bribes. Specifically, Dr. Mendelsohn said he would help end a state investigation of Mutual Benefits. Dr. Mendelsohn's PAC's subsequently received over a million dollars in contributions from the founder, Joel Steinger[5].

In addition, Dr. Mendelsohn received transfers of money from Joel Steinger. On one occasion, for instance, he received a transfer for a $75,000 dollar luxury car[6]..

In the court documents, it is alleged that Dr. Mendelsohn once funneled $87,000 to an official, but the documents leave this official unnamed[7].

[edit] Relationship with Governor Crist

Dr. Mendelsohn has political connections to Governor Crist. He has donated five hundred dollars towards a past campaign of Governor Crist [8]. In addition, he served as director of healthcare issues for Governor Crist's transition team in 2006 [9]

Dr. Mendelsohn and Governor Crist also had a personal relationship; Governor Crist wrote a recommendation letter on behalf of Dr. Mendelsohn's son [10].

While court documents reveal a relationship between Dr. Mendelsohn and Governor Crist, they declare Governor Crist free from any wrongdoing[11]..

[edit] References

  1. ↑ Sun-sentinel, Hollywood doc's indictment claims $60K mistress, love nest
  2. ↑ Sun-sentinel, Hollywood doc's indictment claims $60K mistress, love nest
  3. ↑ Sun-sentinel, Hollywood doc's indictment claims $60K mistress, love nest
  4. ↑ Sun-sentinel, Hollywood doc's indictment claims $60K mistress, love nest
  5. ↑ Sun-sentinel, Hollywood doc's indictment claims $60K mistress, love nest
  6. ↑ Sun-sentinel, Hollywood doc's indictment claims $60K mistress, love nest
  7. ↑ Sun-sentinel, Hollywood doc's indictment claims $60K mistress, love nest
  8. ↑ Orlando Sentinel, Mendelsohn gave $59,000 to a host of Tally -- and Central Florida -- legislators
  9. ↑ TPM, Crist Wrote Recommendation Letter For Now-Indicted Lobbyist's Son
  10. ↑ TPM, Crist Wrote Recommendation Letter For Now-Indicted Lobbyist's Son
  11. ↑ Sun-sentinel, Hollywood doc's indictment claims $60K mistress, love nest


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